The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have denounced a new wave of coordinated assaults by the March 23 Movement (M23), the Congo River Alliance (AFC), and the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF), targeting strategic military positions in Kalehe, North Kivu, and South Kivu.

According to FARDC spokesperson Nestor Mavudisa Kamba Mayoyo, the attacks occurred on July 12 and 14, striking towns such as Kamatembe, Kalao, Kashihe, and Mwendabandu, with additional clashes reported near Batanga.

These offensives violate the ceasefire agreement signed between Kinshasa and Kigali in Washington last month, which outlined commitments to territorial sovereignty, disarmament, and controlled reintegration of armed factions.

The FARDC labeled the assaults as “criminal acts” aimed at sabotaging peace efforts and destabilizing the region. In Shoa, near Mwendabandu, M23 fighters also clashed with Wazalendo militias, pro-government armed groups, triggering the displacement of dozens of families, according to Radio Okapi.

UN reports released in early July confirm that Rwanda maintains operational control over M23, with up to 6,000 Rwandan troops deployed in eastern DRC earlier this year.

The RDF allegedly established a forward command center in Gisenyi, near the border, and continues to support M23 with military equipment and strategic planning, including air defense systems.

Despite the peace accord, 1,000 to 1,500 Rwandan soldiers remain active in M23-controlled zones, raising concerns about territorial annexation and resource exploitation, particularly in mineral-rich areas of North and South Kivu.

Negotiations between the DRC and M23 are ongoing in Doha, with Qatari and African Union mediators seeking a broader truce.

However, M23 was not present at the Washington talks and has demanded a separate ceasefire agreement.

The humanitarian toll continues to rise, with over 500,000 displaced and thousands killed since M23’s resurgence in early 2025. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and international observers warn that the conflict risks triggering a regional war, reminiscent of the Congo Wars of the late 1990s.

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